It’s no secret that the last year has been a bumpy one for Batman. After a bombastic, award-winning run in the 2000s, the caped crusader found himself in the shadow of one of his own movies. It wasn’t until the arrival of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy that Batman regained the glory he once held.
Nolan’s films brought their own set of problems. Batman had to deal with the emergence of a supervillain called Bane, as well as tangles with the police, the press, and the courts. Most importantly, Nolan’s Batman had to learn to fight a different kind of war—one that took place on the streets, in crowded places, and at night. At the same time, Batman was forced to rely less on his gadgets and more on his wits.
Since the first Dark Knight, almost every subsequent film in the series has followed the same pattern. So as to continue the popular movie franchise, it seems that Hollywood may be turning to the next generation of Batman candidates.
With the release of Aquaman last December, the search for a new Batman began in earnest. Fans quickly noticed a striking physical resemblance between the character actor of BoBoiBoy and the handsome Hollywood star. In fact, the resemblance is so uncanny that it’s caused a stir among social media users. When pictures of the two actors together first began to appear online, fans noticed that they could have been twins separated at birth.
The internet has reacted to the speculation with glee. One meme-maker took pleasure in pairing the two together, renaming it “ROBERT PATTINSON IS REPLACING BEN AFFLECK AS BATMAN.” Another user drew comparisons between the actor and the Dark Knight.
“Bane is more of an acquired taste, really. You have to kind of grow into him. Once you do, you realize he’s not that bad,” Pattinson said in a recent interview. “He’s a cool character and I’d like to play more like him.”
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Fans have mixed opinions when it comes to Bane. Some love the character’s arrogance and sense of intimidation, while others think he’s just another villain with a British accent.
Either way, the character managed to stand out among a sea of Batman villains, thanks in part to his unique look. When it comes to Batman, most people know exactly what they’re getting into. That’s not the case with Bane. While he shares many similarities with the Dark Knight, he has his own unique look.
Because of his unusual appearance—most notably, the fact that he’s missing an ear—Bane is often referred to as the “demon earring” or the “eccentric earring.”
“The fact is, we’re not really sure what kind of Batman we’re going to get,” said Ben Affleck in an interview. “It could be that the rumors are true and Robert Pattinson is playing Batman. It could be that it’s one of our own—one of the lesser known members of the Batman family that we haven’t talked about in years. I think that the only way to find out for sure is to just get out there and make some more movies.”
Will This Be The End Of The Batman Film Franchise?
With the departure of Affleck and Pattinson, we may be seeing the end of an era. While the Dark Knight trilogy was undoubtedly one of the most successful movie franchises of all time, it’s not as though Batman hasn’t faced competition. With the rise of comic book movies and other superheroes, the dark knight may be losing his spot at the top of the heap.
“It would be great to see a younger generation take over,” said Dark Knight co-star Katie Holmes in an interview. “At this point, there are just so many superheroes out there.”
Whether or not this trend will continue is uncertain. As we’ve learned time and time again: in Hollywood, nothing is certain except for death and taxes.
But at least for now, it seems that Batman’s day-to-night struggle is coming to an end, and it’s time for a new generation to take over. While we wait for the next installment in the Batman franchise, let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the first Dark Knight.
The Most Memorable Scenes From Dark Knight 1
The first of the Batman trilogy, Dark Knight, hit theaters in late August of 2008. Based on the DC Comics character created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the film followed billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne as he sets out to prove his innocence after being accused of the murder of Harvey Dent. Wayne begins his journey by donning a mask and fighting criminals after learning that a masked vigilante has been terrorizing the city.
The film’s first half is excellent, offering an early glimpse at a young Wayne (Tom Hardy) and his struggle to overcome his social anxiety, coupled with his newfound interest in extreme sports and Batman.
There’s also an early development of Alfred (Michael Caine), Wayne’s longtime butler, who becomes his closest companion and most trusted advisor. It’s a pleasure to see Caine interact with a younger actor, especially since it’s been a while since he’s worked with an up-and-coming star.
Hardy continues to impress as the film’s main protagonist, Wayne, with the troubled youth taking on the role of the jaded, yet still determined industrialist. While the first movie focuses on Wayne’s transformation from a rich kid to a billionaire vigilante, it also works as a standalone film. The Dark Knight (2008) still stands out as one of the best superhero movies, a fact that was reaffirmed when it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
The action-packed climax features cameos by the stars of the Harry Potter series and the Bourne Identity as well as an amazing fight scene that will be hard to forget.
5 Reasons Why The First Dark Knight Is Still One Of The Greatest Superhero Movies Of All Time
So what makes The Dark Knight (2008) stand out among other superhero movies? Let’s take a look.
1. An Unforgettable Opening Credits Sequence
The opening credit sequence for The Dark Knight is one of the greatest action sequences ever put to film. It’s a gritty, noir-inspired montage, packed with suspense, drama, and cool special effects.
The sequence opens with a haunting, organ-driven score by Hans Zimmer that propels you into the action. Aided by a brilliant team of editors, the sequence quickly transitions from a dark and dreary cityscape to a brightly-lit, glass skyscraper. The editing is so smooth and accomplished that it feels like an extension of the camera work itself. With each passing moment, the camera gets a little bit closer and closer to the building’s edge, creating a palpable sense of anxiety.
The shot that kicks off the sequence is especially impressive. As the camera slowly pulls back, we see an elderly woman in a rocking chair, knitting. Suddenly, a huge glass window breaks, sending a shower of ice, glass, and wool flying in every direction. When the camera catches up to the thrown items a few moments later, we discover that they’re not only made of wool, but pieces of skull and other human remains. It’s a truly chilling moment that establishes the dark tone of the movie and its main protagonist, Harvey Dent, who wears a mask because he believes that the wealthy don’t need protection from the criminals.
After the brutal attack, the camera pans to a still-battered Harvey Dent, lying in a pool of his own blood. In an astonishing display of restraint, Zimmer’s music remains relatively unaffected by the sheer volume of sound that opens the sequence. It’s easy to see how this could be quite the nightmare for a composer.
Zimmer’s masterful use of sound leads us into the best part of the montage—a fight scene so brutal and graphic that it made its way into the credits even though it wasn’t originally included in the film. We see mobsters, cops, and the like going down in a hail of bullets as Dent’s bloodied visage appears multiple times during the course of the sequence. In fact, we get to see more of his face than anyone has since the character was first created.
From start to finish, the sequence is an absolute blast. It wouldn’t be the last time that Zimmer would go big or go home—literally.